McCain: U.S./Russia Relations Back on Cold War Footing

During an August 8 appearance on CNN’s The Lead, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) said Russia’s recent actions toward the U.S. have “reset” relations and put the two countries back on Cold War footing.

According to McCain, “The Russians have reset, they’ve reset alright–back to about 1955.”

advertisement

The Hill reports that McCain emphasized that Russia “is not acting in the interests in world peace” and reiterated his call for Georgia to be allowed into NATO.

Earlier on August 8 McCain issued a joint press release with Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) in which he called for President Obama to “push back against Russia in a variety of ways.” McCain believes this push should include not only Georgia’s inclusion in NATO, but also “completing the European missile defense shield and strengthening the Magnitsky Act.”

The Magnitsky Act is a 2012 law “meant to punish Russians linked to human rights violations.”